French agency wants to regulate fish pedicures

UPI News Service, 04/25/2013

A French government agency is calling for closer supervision of fish pedicures, the practice of using small fish to eat dead skin away from someone's feet.

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The practice, which involves Garra rufa fish and has long been popular in eastern Asia, is becoming increasingly common in France and the National Safety Agency is recommending the government regulate the practice and install safeguards, The Local.fr reported Thursday.

"Although no documented cases have been reported so far, we cannot eliminate the risk of transmission of germs or bacteria, some of which are resistant to antibiotics," said Gerard Lasfargues, deputy director of the agency.

The agency is calling for regulations including mandatory reviews of the quality of water in the tanks used for the fish pedicures.